Microstructured Optical Fibers for chemical and biological analysis

A hybrid biosensing platform based on a Peptide Nucleic Acid - functionalized Microstructured Optical Fibers Bragg gratings for DNA detection has been implemented. The inner surface of different MOFs has been functionalized using PNA probes, an artificially synthesized polymer that is well suited for specific DNA target sequences detection. In order to achieve signal amplification, oligonucleotide-functionalized gold nanoparticles have been used after DNA infiltration to form a sandwich-like system. The hybrid sensing systems reveal a clear wavelength shift of the reflected modes when the infiltrated complementary DNA matches with the PNA probes placed on the inner fiber surface. Measurements have also been made using the mismatched DNA solution, containing a single nucleotide polymorphism, showing no significant changes in the reflected spectrum.